Traits Plant Height Research Articles

Effect of Row Spacing and Nitrogen Rate on Wheat Growth and Yield

A field experiment was carried out at the research station of the College of Agriculture, university of Al-Muthanna in winter 2021-2022 to study the effect of four levels of nitrogen (250, 200, 150, 100) kg N ha-1 and four Row Spacing (30, 25, 20, 15). (cm) on Wheat Growth and Yield. The results a significant superiority of the fertilizer rate 250 kg N ha-1 in plant height, leaf area, number of tillers, and nitrogen concentration, with means of 90.5 cm, 32.3 cm 2 , 323.3 leaves m-2 , and 2.94%, respectively. The row spacing of 30 cm showed a significant superiority for the characteristic of the number of tillers, which reached to 319.5 tillers m-2 , while the The row spacing did not show any significant superiority in most of the studied traits plant height, number of days from planting to flowering, number of days from flowering to maturity, leaf area of the plant, nitrogen concentration).

Brcd1 Is Associated with Plant Height through the Gibberellin Pathway in Brassica rapa L.

In crops such as Brassica rapa, the agronomic trait plant height affects the leaf light absorption rate, benefits substance accumulation, and increases production by increasing the biological yield of the population. The mechanism of plant height was adequately studied in Brassica napus and Arabidopsis, while Brassica rapa had been rarely reported. Herein, we studied a B. rapa dwarf mutant Brcd1YS. Compared with its wild-type, Yellow sarson, Brcd1YS showed shorter hypocotyls and slow growth, with inhibited root elongation and reduced numbers of lateral roots. Chlorophyll content determination and pollen viability detection indicated that the mutant’s chlorophyll content was higher than that of the wild-type; however, its pollen was inactive. Cytological identification showed that the number of cells in Brcd1YS leaves was significantly reduced and were arranged irregularly compared with those of the wild-type. Bulked Segregant RNA sequencing combined with conventional linkage mapped the dwarf mutation Brcd1YS to Chromosome A06, at position 21,621,766 to 24,683,923 bp. Application of exogenous gibberellic acid (GA) partially rescued the dwarf phenotype of Brcd1YS. GA-related genes BraA06g034110.3C and BraA06g033010.3C were identified as the most promising candidate genes. These results make a valuable contribution to our understanding of the mechanism of plant height determination in B. rapa, paving the way for further breeding of dwarf B. rapa.

Quality Analysis of a High-Precision Kinematic Laser Scanning System for the Use of Spatio-Temporal Plant and Organ-Level Phenotyping in the Field

Spatio–temporal determination of phenotypic traits, such as height, leaf angles, and leaf area, is important for the understanding of crop growth and development in modern agriculture and crop science. Measurements of these parameters for individual plants so far have been possible only in greenhouse environments using high-resolution 3D measurement techniques, such as laser scanning or image-based 3D reconstruction. Although aerial and ground-based vehicles equipped with laser scanners and cameras are more and more used in field conditions to perform large-scale phenotyping, these systems usually provide parameters more on the plot level rather than on a single plant or organ level. The reason for this is that the quality of the 3D information generated with those systems is mostly not high enough to reconstruct single plants or plant organs. This paper presents the usage of a robot equipped with a high-resolution mobile laser scanning system. We use the system, which is usually used to create high-definition 3D maps of urban environments, for plant and organ-level morphological phenotyping in agricultural field conditions. The analysis focuses on the point cloud quality as well as the system’s potential by defining quality criteria for the point cloud and system and by using them to evaluate the measurements taken in an experimental agricultural field with different crops. Criteria for evaluation are the georeferencing accuracy, point precision, spatial resolution, and point cloud completeness. Additional criteria are the large-scale scan efficiency and the potential for automation. Wind-induced plant jitter that may affect the crop point cloud quality is discussed afterward. To show the system’s potential, exemplary phenotypic traits of plant height, leaf area, and leaf angles for different crops are extracted based on the point clouds. The results show a georeferencing accuracy of 1–2 cm, a point precision on crop surfaces of 1–2 mm, and a spatial resolution of just a few millimeters. Point clouds become incomplete in the later stages of growth since the vegetation is denser. Wind-induced plant jitters can lead to distorted crop point clouds depending on wind force and crop size. The phenotypic parameter extraction of leaf area, leaf angles, and plant height from the system’s point clouds highlight the outstanding potential for 3D crop phenotyping on the plant-organ level in agricultural fields.

Insights into the Genetic Determination of the Autotetraploid Potato Plant Height.

Plant height is an important characteristic, the modification of which can improve the ability of stress adaptation as well as the yield. In this study, genome-wide association analysis was performed for plant height traits in 370 potato cultivars using the tetraploid potato genome as a reference. A total of 92 significant single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci for plant height were obtained, which were particularly significant in haplotypes A3 and A4 on chromosome 1 and A1, A2, and A4 on chromosome 5. Thirty-five candidate genes were identified that were mainly involved in the gibberellin and brassinolide signal transduction pathways, including the FAR1 gene, methyltransferase, ethylene response factor, and ubiquitin protein ligase. Among them, PIF3 and GID1a were only present on chromosome 1, with PIF3 in all four haplotypes and GID1a in haplotype A3. This could lead to more effective genetic loci for molecular marker-assisted selection breeding as well as more precise localization and cloning of genes for plant height traits in potatoes.

Variation of plant height and ear insertion height traits in short-season maize hybrids under the optimal and late sowing dates

Topicality. In light of the intensification of agriculture towards more rational utilisation of land resources and the growing season, given the importance of stubble and postcut fodder maize crops in fodder production and maize adaptability to the conditions of the Steppe zone, it is important to study the growth processes of maize under late sowing. Namely, the study of the influence of late sowing date on such traits as plant height and insertion height of the first productive ear for early ripening hybrids, the share of which in maize grain production is increasing. Purpose. To establish the most stable hybrid combinations by studying the variability of plant height and ear insertion height in early ripening maize hybrids under two sowing dates. Methods. Hybridization was used for developing hybrid material; laboratory and field method – to determine morphobiological traits of maize hybrids; measuring weight - to determine metric traits of plants; mathematical and statistical method – to determine the reliability of results, indicators of trait variability, and the correlation of traits. Results. The study of early ripening maize hybrids developed by crossing the most common germplasms under two sowing dates revealed that hybrids of heterotic models Iodent×Flint and Iodent×Mix had stably high values of the plant height trait at both sowing dates; hybrids of heterotic models Iodent×Flint and Iodent×Mix and Mix×Flint had stably high values of the insertion height of first productive ear at both sowing dates. Conclusions. We have identified the hybrid combinations DK4173SVZM×DK367, DK4172×DK367, MS381MV×DK367, MS555×DK367 (heterotic model Iodent×Mix), and DK4173SVZM×DK2073 (heterotic model Iodent×Flint), which were characterised by stably high values of the plant height trait, as well as the hybrid combinations DK4172×DK4538 (heterotic model Iodent×Flint), DK4172×DK367 (heterotic model Iodent×Mix), and DK2659×DK4538 (heterotic model Mix×Flint), which were characterised by stably high values of the insertion height of first productive ear at both sowing dates. The correlation between plant height and the ear insertion height of maize hybrids was confirmed for both sowing dates in all heterotic models studied. Key words: common maize, breeding, prematurity, plant height, ear insertion height, sowing dates, line, single-cross hybrids

Variability of yield components in winter wheat varieties and breeding lines under environment of Ukrainian Forest-Steppe

Topicality. The main task of winter wheat breeding is to increase productivity, therefore, the development and introduction of new varieties of winter wheat with high productivity potential being well adapted to changing growing conditions into agricultural production is an urgent area of research. Breeders' efforts are aimed at developing varieties with a successful combination of high parameters of all the main productivity elements in one genotype, which will maximise grain yield. Breeding work is determined by many factors, among which the search and development of new genetic sources with high performance indicators. Therefore, the peculiarities of yield potential realization and the study of the mechanisms of productivity element formation under changing meteorological conditions are important for establishing the response rate and selecting the most stable productive genotypes and their further involvement in breeding programs. Purpose. To identify the best varieties and breeding lines of winter wheat in terms of productivity elements in the environment of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine for their involvement in crossbreeding programmes. Methods. Visual – phenological observations; laboratory-field – determination of biometric indicators; mathematical and statistical – establishing the reliability of the obtained data. Results. It was found that the maximum realisation of the yield potential of winter wheat plants by structural elements occurred under optimal growing conditions such as in years with higher moisture availability and sowing on 5 October. Yield formation was significantly influenced by the weather conditions of the year, genotype and unaccounted factors. Sowing dates had a significant effect only on the manifestation of the plant height trait. There was a minor variation (3.8 %÷5.5 %) in plant height in all varieties and breeding lines. Different levels of variability were found for the following traits: number of productive stems varied from Cv=16.4 % (second sowing date in the dry 2019/20) to Cv=27.6 % (first sowing date in the favourable 2020/21); main head grain content and thousand grain weight – Cv=10.7÷17.6 % and Cv=8.8÷16.9 %, respectively. Regardless of varietal characteristics, the main spike length had insignificant (Сv=5.6÷8.8 %) phenotypic variability with a range of variation of 0.2–2.0 cm. There were determined the variability levels of traits by the spikelet number per spike (Сv=5.7 %÷8.6 %), by grain weight per spike (Сv=13.1÷20.5 %) and per plant (Сv=20.5÷36.3 %). Conclusions. The varieties MIP Assol, Hratsiia MYR, MIP Dniprianka, MIP Yuvileina and breeding lines LUT 55198, LUT 37519 consistently formed a high level of productivity elements regardless of sowing dates and conditions of the growing year, which indicates their high adaptive capacity. They are recommended for breeding programmes as valuable parental components. Key words: productivity parameters, trait, variation, sowing date, year conditions

A multiscale mathematical model describing the growth and development of bambara groundnut

A principal objective in agriculture is to maximise food production; this is particularly relevant with the added demands of an ever increasing population, coupled with the unpredictability that climate change brings. Further improvements in productivity can only be achieved with an increased understanding of plant and crop processes. In this respect, mathematical modelling of plants and crops plays an important role. In this paper we present a two-scale mathematical model of crop yield that accounts for plant growth and canopy interactions. A system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) is formulated to describe the growth of each individual plant, where equations are coupled via a term that describes plant competition via canopy–canopy interactions. A crop of greenhouse plants is then modelled via an agent based modelling approach in which the growth of each plant is described via our system of ODEs. The model is formulated for the African drought tolerant legume bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea), which is currently being investigated as a food source in light of climate change and food insecurity challenges. Our model allows us to account for plant diversity and also investigate the effect of individual plant traits (e.g. plant canopy size and planting distance) on the yield of the overall crop. Informed with greenhouse data, model results show that plant positioning relative to other plants has a large impact on individual plant yield. Variation in physiological plant traits from genetic diversity and the environmental effects lead to experimentally observed variations in crop yield. These traits include plant height, plant carrying capacity, leaf accumulation rate and canopy spread. Of these traits plant height and ground cover growth rates are found to have the greatest impact on crop yield. We also consider a range of different planting arrangements (uniform grid, staggered grid, circular rings and random allocation) and find that the staggered grid leads to the greatest crop yield (6% more compared to uniform grid). Whilst formulated specifically for bambara groundnut, the generic formulation of our model means that with changes to certain parameter’s, it may be extended to other crop species that form a canopy.

Variability and Correlation Study of Growth Traits in Bread Wheat Under Non-stressed Conditions

The morphological traits of wheat grain strongly influence on yield and directly affect the grain yield of the crop. The necessity to overcome the human demand of wheat the grain yield should be intensified. The current experiment was organized to study the morphological traits of wheat and their association with yield. The experiment was done in the randomized complete block design including three replications and twenty genotypes under normal condition in cropping season of 2021. The result of analysis of variance indicates that there is highly significant difference among the studied genotypes, traits like spikelet per spike (SPS), flag leaf area(FLA), grain yield per spike(GYS), number of grains per spike(GPS), biological yield (BY) and grain yield per plant(GYP) showed the genetic potential and variability among them. While traits plant height (PH) and peduncle length (PL) are significant. Correlation analysis showed that grain yield per plant is highly associated with flag leaf area (0.78**) followed by biological yield which is highly correlated with plant height (0.77**) and number of grain per spike was also highly correlated with spikelet per spike (0.70**).While spikelet per spike and number of grains per spike correlated non-significantly with plant height (0.21ns), (0.23ns) and biological yield correalted non-significantly with spikelet per spike (0.21ns).The highest mean values recorded by the genotype G3 for the traits SPS (21.22), PL (16.74) and BY (23.33), followed by the genotype G14 for the traits SPS (23.22), PL (17.36), FLA (15), GPS (35.83) and by the genotype G19 for the traits PH (94.63), BY (22.23), GPS (33.16). Hence, in breeding or selection program, to develop the high yield of wheat cultivars in selection or breeding program, these yield related traits should have strong and positive association.

Principal Component Analysis for Yield and Yield Related Traits in Pearl Millet Cultivars

A set of 40 pearl millets genotypes were evaluated with a view of studying genetic parameters for eight quantitative characters. In the experimental materials, analysis of variance revealed significant differences for all analyzed traits. The study identified 3 Principal Components (PCs) with Eigen value greater than 1.00 which accounted for 82.3% of the total variation for discriminating the lines. From principal component analysis, PC1 showed highest amount of variance (36.2%) with mostly related to traits like yield per plant, productive tillers per plant, and fodder yield per plot. As a result, the first component mainly identifies the characters responsible for yield. PC2 showed second highest amount of variance (29.9%) with cumulative variance (66.1%) with mostly related to traits like days to maturity, days to 50% flowering, and panicle diameter. Third highest variance (16.2%) with cumulative variance (82.3%) with mostly related to traits plant height and panicle length was observed in PC3. Elbow type line is seen after PC3 showing little variation after PC3. Highest Eigen value is shown by PC1. From biplot, PC1 components showed negative relationship with plant height and Days to 50% flowering, days to maturity showed slightly negative with PC1. PC2 had negative relationship with traits like productive tillers per plant and slightly negative yield per plant and both components showed positive relation with panicle diameter, panicle length and fodder yield per plot.

COMBINATION ABILITY OF SOYBEAN VARIETIES BY PRODUCTIVITY IN TOPCROSS CROSSES

Two-tester analysis of topcross crossings of soybean varieties, which differ in valuable economic traits and ecological and geographical origin, was used in the research. According to the indicators of combining ability, the value of soybean varieties was determined by the elements of the crop structure. In hybrid populations, the degree and frequency of positive transgressions have been determined, which is a selection material for the creation of new varieties by hybridization. High effects of ZKZ on plant height and attachment of lower beans were established in Sawyer 2-95 variety and KiVin tester; by the number of productive nodes - in the varieties Sawyer 2-95, Medea, Kyivska 97 and tester KyVin; according to the number of beans per plant - in varieties Ustya, Kyivska 97 and tester KyVin; according to the number of seeds on the plant - in the Medea, Kyivska 97 and Hoverla tester varieties; by the weight of 1000 seeds - in varieties Sawyer 2-95, Kyivska 97 and Hoverla tester; according to the mass of grain from the plant - in the varieties Medea, Kyivska 97 and tester Hoverla; in terms of productivity - in Medea, Kyivska 97 and tester Hoverla varieties. It was established that additive effects of genes were dominant in the genetic control of plant height traits and attachment of lower beans, elements of crop structure and productivity, but there was also a significant non-additive effect. According to the number of beans per plant, the number of seeds per plant, and the weight of seeds per plant, in the vast majority of hybrid populations, inheritance by the type of overdominance and dominance of the parental form with a higher manifestation of the trait was noted. The analysis of dominance indicators made it possible to identify crossbreeding combinations that are distinguished by the overdominance of the specified traits and have significant breeding value: Sawyer 2-95 × Hoverla, Kyivska 97 × Hoverla, Kharkivska precocious × Hoverla, Sawyer 2-95 × KiVin, Kharkivska precocious × KiVin.

Multivariate and multiharvesting trial for agronomic traits in the genetic resources of guineagrass

AbstractThe diversity and use of forages and grasslands for animal feeding are essential in tropical livestock systems. Seasonal changes are mainly marked by variations in precipitation patterns. Grasslands are managed as perennial crops and therefore must be resilient to tolerate both dry and rainy seasons. The integration of animal production with the genetic aspects of forages is important for helping to identify resilient alternatives for sustainability in livestock systems. This study developed a multivariate and multiharvesting trial (MHT) for plant height, green forage weight (GFW), and dry matter yield (DMY) in a diversity panel of 130 accessions of guineagrass [Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B.K. Simon & S.W.L. Jacobs] established in the Patía Valley of Colombia. Our study aims to identify interactions among weather conditions and different genotypes for agronomic variables as well as identify outstanding accessions for their productivity and adaptability. The entry mean heritability values were .88, .47, and .39 for the traits plant height, GFW, and DMY, respectively. The genetic correlations among different harvests ranged .5–.9 for plant height and .2–.9 for GFW. Heritability and genetic correlations suggest that plant height and yield are largely influenced by plant genetic effects. The correlation among plant height and yield was .42 for GFW and .33 for DMY. Negative correlations were not found in the agronomic behavior of the materials among the harvests under rainy and dry conditions. The MHT analyzed under the methodology of factor analysis revealed that accessions 16062 and 6982 stood out consistently for plant height, GFW, and DMY across different harvests. These findings strengthen processes in the search for resilient forages in the transition toward eco‐efficient livestock production and provide knowledge on which agronomic variables and forage materials to select, according to criteria of interest to both producers and plant breeders.

Genetic Variability and Character Association for Grain Yield Components in Maize (Zea mays L.)

The present investigation was carried out to assess the genetic variability parameters, correlation and path analysis in twenty-one maize genotypes for sixteen quantitative traits Kharif seasons at Field Experimentation Centre, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Uttar Pradesh in Randomized Block Design replicated thrice. Analysis of variance for all sixteen quantitative characters revealed that treatment differences were highly significant under study at 1% level in Kharif season. The present investigation objective was oriented to calculate and estimate yield traits through analyzing the mean performance, variability, expected genetic advance, correlation coefficient and path analysis involving the yield attributing characters. Among 21 genotypes, BML-13 (109.67), MGW-376 (108.93) genotypes were found to be superior for grain yield per plant over the check (Shaktiman-5). GCV for all the characters were less than PCV, indicating the influence of environmental component on the expression of the character. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent mean in the present genotypes was recorded for traits plant height, ear height, grain rows per cob, cob weight, biological yield per plant, 100 grain weight, grain yield per plant. Path coefficient and Correlation analysis revealed that ear height, cob length, cob girth, grain rows per cob, grains per row, number of cobs per plant, cob weight and biological yield per plant had positive correlation and direct effects with grain yield per plant. Therefore, it is concluded that effective selection must be attempted for these traits which would help in improvement of grain yield in maize genotypes.

Effect of Pseudomonas putida, Compost, and Humus on the Growth and Yield of Tomato

This study was designed to investigate the growth and yield of protected tomatoes under the influence of biofertilizers, compost, and Humus. Two levels of bacterial fertilizer (S0 and S1), three levels of compost (C0, C1, andC2) t/ha-1, and three levels of Humus (H0, H1, and H2) kg/t. The traits of plant height, chlorophyll, vitamin C, and total yield were measured. The experiment was applied according to a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The results present the efficacy of the treatment (S1 + C2 + H2) compared to the control treatment by resulting in the highest average of the studied traits: plant height, chlorophyll, vitamin C, total yield 109.50 cm/plant-1, 66.25 mg/100g-1 fresh weight, 29.23 mg/100ml-1*juice, 8.90 t/ha-1, respectively

Effect of Spraying with Normal and Nano Iron on the Growth and Flowering of Petunia Plant Petunia hybrid L.

The research was carried out in lath house of the Department of Horticulture and Landscaping - College of Agriculture / University of Anbar during two growing season 2021-2022, in order to study the effect of spraying with normal and nano iron on the growth and flowering of petunias. Normal iron was used in concentrations (0, 50 and 100 mg L-1), which was represented by (F0, F1 and F2) respectively, while nano iron was sprayed with concentrations (0, 10 and 20 mg L-1) and it was represented by (NF0, NF1 and NF2) respectively. A randomized complete block design was used to conduct a factorial experimental (RCBD). The results showed that spraying treatments with normal iron, especially at concentration F2 (100 mg L-1) contributed to achieving best results for the characteristics (plant height, number of branches, leaf area, dry weight of the shoot, chlorophyll content of leaves, flowers number, dry weight, flower diameter, number of days until flower wilt) and reached (12.92 cm, 6.39 plant branch-1, 891.73 cm2 plant-1, 6.73 g, 12.98 mg g-1, 191.20 flower plant-1, 69.3 g, 9.20 cm, and 7.18 day) respectively. While the spraying with normal iron was not significantly affect carbohydrate content of the leaves. Spraying with nano iron, especially at NF2 concentration (20 mg L-1) achieved the highest values for the traits of plant height, number of branches, leaf area, shoot dry weight, chlorophyll content of leaves, carbohydrate content of leaves, flowers number, dry weight of flowers, number of days until flower wilt, and reached 12.67 cm, 52.6 plant branches-1, 854.43 cm2 plant-1, 6.60 g, 12.64 mg g-1, 07.9%, 182.94 flower plant-1, 3.32 g, and 6.61 days respectively. While the flower diameter was not significantly affected when spraying with nano iron. On the other hand, the interaction between two study factors showed a significant effect for all the studied traits except for the carbohydrate content of the leaves.

Genetic Diversity in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) based on Quantitative Traits

Present investigation was conducted at Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh state, India during 2014−15 to assess the genetic diversity among 66 accessions of tomato maintained at Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University. The techniques of principal component analysis and D2 analysis were used for genetic diversity assessment. The analysis revealed significance of four principal components representing 70.12% of the total variability. Some of the important yield traits like average fruit weight, fruit yield plant-1 and number of locules fruit-1 were the most important traits in PC1 indicating that selection for diversity must be based on these traits. The correlation plot depicted that the traits plant height, number of fruits cluster-1 and number of fruits plant-1 were closely related to each other. Based on the scores of 1st and 2nd principal component, the genotypes were distributed in biplot. Most of the genotypes were congregated near the centre and revealed narrow genetic diversity existing among the germplasm accessions. The coordinates of the genotype EC 538380 indicated it as the most unique. The entries EC 538155, Pant T3, EC 521069, EC 538434 and EC 168283 were standing separate from the majority of entries. Cluster analysis also indicated congregation of most of the genotypes in one group. Overall, the study indicated limited genetic diversity in the test material.

Genetic and Morphological Diversity Assessment of Five Kalanchoe Genotypes by SCoT, ISSR and RAPD-PCR Markers.

Determining the appropriate parents for breeding programs is the most important decision that plant breeders must make to maximize the genetic variability and produce excellent recombinant genotypes. Several methods are used to identify genotypes with desirable phenotypic features for breeding experiments. In this study, five kalanchoe genotypes were morphologically characterized by assessing plant height, number of inflorescences, number of flowers, flower length, flower diameter and number of petals. The analysis showed the distinction of yellow kalanchoe in the plant height trait, while the orange kalanchoe was distinguished in the number of inflorescences, the number of flowers and flower length traits, whereas the violet kalanchoe possessed the largest flower diameter and the highest number of petals. The molecular profiling was performed by random amplified polymorphism DNA (RAPD), inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) and start codon targeted (SCoT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tools. Genomic DNA was extracted from young leaves and the PCR reactions were performed using ten primers for each SCoT, ISSR and RAPD marker. Only four out of ten primers showed amplicon profiles in all PCR markers. A total of 70 bands were generated by SCoT, ISSR and RAPD-PCR with 35 polymorphic bands and 35 monomorphic bands. The total number of bands of RAPD, ISSR and SCoT was 15, 17 and 38, respectively. The polymorphism percentages achieved by RAPD, ISSR and SCoT were 60.25%, 15% and 57%, respectively. The cluster analysis based on morphological data revealed two clusters. Cluster I consisted of violet and orange kalanchoe, and cluster II comprised red, yellow and purple kalanchoe. Whereas the cluster analysis based on molecular data revealed three clusters. Cluster I included only yellow kalanchoe, cluster II comprised orange and violet kalanchoe while cluster III comprised red, and purple kalanchoe. The study concluded that orange, violet and yellow kalanchoe are distinguished parents for breeding economically valued traits in kalanchoe. Also, the study concluded that SCoT and RAPD markers reproduced reliable banding patterns to assess the genetic polymorphism among kalanchoe genotypes that consider the basis stone for genetic improvements in ornamental plants.

High-Altitude Genetic Selection and Genome-Wide Association Analysis of Yield-Related Traits in Elymus sibiricus L. Using SLAF Sequencing.

The genetic adaptations to harsh climatic conditions in high altitudes and genetic basis of important agronomic traits are poorly understood in Elymus sibiricus L. In this study, an association population of 210 genotypes was used for population structure, selective sweep analysis, and genome-wide association study (GWAS) based on 88,506 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). We found 965 alleles under the natural selection of high altitude, which included 7 hub genes involved in the response to UV, and flavonoid and anthocyanin biosynthetic process based on the protein–protein interaction (PPI) analysis. Using a mixed linear model (MLM), the GWAS test identified a total of 1,825 significant loci associated with 12 agronomic traits. Based on the gene expression data of two wheat cultivars and the PPI analysis, we finally identified 12 hub genes. Especially, in plant height traits, the top hub gene (TOPLESS protein) encoding auxins and jasmonic acid signaling pathway, shoot apical meristem specification, and xylem and phloem pattern formation was highly overexpressed. These genes might play essential roles in controlling the growth and development of E. sibiricus. Therefore, this study provides fundamental insights relevant to hub genes and will benefit molecular breeding and improvement in E. sibiricus and other Elymus species.

Studies on genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in sweet corn for green ear yield and yield related traits

A study was carried out in sweet corn to evaluate seven inbred lines, three checks and 42 experimental hybrids during Kharif 2019. This study revealed a significant difference among the genotypes for traits studied indicating the presence of abundant genetic variability. The phenotypic co-efficient of variation ranged from 4.57 (DFS) to 36.41 (GEWH) while the genotypic co-efficient of variation ranged from 3.72 (DFT) to 25.35 (GEWH). Green ear yield without husk (25.35, 36.41); green fodder weight (22.47, 29.20) and green ear yield (24.63, 33.31) recorded high PCV and GCV values. The traits plant height (0.73), ear girth (0.61) and TLB (0.69) displayed high heritability values and none of the traits showed low heritability. Genetic advance over mean ranged from 5.71 (DFT) to 37.53 (GEY). High genetic advance over mean was observed for the traits green ear weight without husk, and green fodder weight. Moderate heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for the traits green ear weight without husk, green fodder weight and green ear yield. Thus, traits like green ear yield, green ear weight without husk, green fodder weight, ear length and the number of kernels per row should be prioritized while selecting sweet corn genotypes for increased yield as they have a moderate to low range of genotypic co-efficient of variation, phenotypic co-efficient of variation, heritability, and genetic advance over mean.

Identification of QTNs Associated With Flowering Time, Maturity, and Plant Height Traits in Linum usitatissimum L. Using Genome-Wide Association Study.

Early flowering, maturity, and plant height are important traits for linseed to fit in rice fallows, for rainfed agriculture, and for economically viable cultivation. Here, Multi-Locus Genome-Wide Association Study (ML-GWAS) was undertaken in an association mapping panel of 131 accessions, genotyped using 68,925 SNPs identified by genotyping by sequencing approach. Phenotypic evaluation data of five environments comprising 3 years and two locations were used. GWAS was performed for three flowering time traits including days to 5%, 50%, and 95% flowering, days to maturity, and plant height by employing five ML-GWAS methods: FASTmrEMMA, FASTmrMLM, ISIS EM-BLASSO, mrMLM, and pLARmEB. A total of 335 unique QTNs have been identified for five traits across five environments. 109 QTNs were stable as observed in ≥2 methods and/or environments, explaining up to 36.6% phenotypic variance. For three flowering time traits, days to maturity, and plant height, 53, 30, and 27 stable QTNs, respectively, were identified. Candidate genes having roles in flower, pollen, embryo, seed and fruit development, and xylem/phloem histogenesis have been identified. Gene expression of candidate genes for flowering and plant height were studied using transcriptome of an early maturing variety Sharda (IC0523807). The present study unravels QTNs/candidate genes underlying complex flowering, days to maturity, and plant height traits in linseed.

Combining ability and gene action for yield improvement in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) under tropical conditions through diallel mating design

Nine morphologically distinct kenaf genotypes were hybridized to produce 36 hybrids following a half diallel mating design. The combining ability and gene action of 15 yield and yield components were assessed in hybrids and their parents across two environments. Except for the mid diameter and plant height traits, there were highly significant differences (p ≤ 0.01) between the environments and the interaction of genotype and environment. Additive gene effects were considerable for the inheritance of these traits, and the expression of these additive genes was heavily influenced by the environment. Significant differences were found for all studied traits for GCA except top diameter and SCA except plant height and top diameter, implying the presence of both additive and non-additive gene action for the inheritance of the concerned characters. For all features except top diameter and number of nodes, the magnitude of GCA variation was significantly higher than that of SCA variance, indicating the additive gene's predominance. The parental lines P1, P3 and P4 were outstanding general combiners for fiber yield and yield-related parameters. Considering combining ability and genetic analysis study, the crosses P1 × P4, P1 × P9, P2 × P3, P2 × P5, P4 × P6, P4 × P7, P4 × P9, P5 × P8, and P7 × P9 were found promising for their heterotic response to higher fiber yield, stick yield, seed yield and could be for future improvement in kenaf breeding programmes.